B.F.A. in Interior Design Curriculum at Marylhurst

A holistic, experiential interior design curriculum provides our Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A.) students with design background knowledge and professional career skills. Throughout the interior design degree program, you will practice a design approach with sensitivity to the human experience, apply critical thinking and creative design processes to solve interior design problems and develop professional communication skills. The interior design curriculum will prepare you in professional and ethical best practices, while diving into regulatory codes and practices protecting the health, life, safety and welfare of the public.

Throughout your final year of study, you will commit to the development of your thesis and apply knowledge and skills learned to solve a self-directed design problem that enhances and advances the discipline of design.

Interior Design Curriculum and B.F.A. Degree Requirements

To earn your B.F.A. in Interior Design you will complete 180-quarter credits (through a combination of courses and by transferring in credits) within three main areas:

Major requirements (129 credits)The interior design curriculum includes (but is not limited to) the study of sustainability, architectural freehand drawing, structures and building systems, history of furniture and art, presentation and photography. As a student, you will strengthen your interior design capabilities through complimentary coursework in 3D digital modeling, building codes, materials and color. And because Marylhurst is an applied liberal arts university, you will enjoy hands on learning opportunities through internship, thesis and project preparation.

General electives (11 credits)
In support your specific career goals, choose courses outside of the interior design arena from Marylhurst’s diverse undergraduate programs.

Evening and Weekend Classes

To make this interior design program more accessible, we now offer classes in the EVENINGS and on the WEEKENDS. You can continue to work and complete your Interior Design (B.F.A.) program.

Transfer in Your Previous College Credit

The majority of Marylhurst’s incoming students transfer in college credit from either community colleges or another four-year institution. The average credits transferred is about 45-to-50 credits and most students enter the university with the majority of their MU Core requirements completed.

Interior Design Transfer Partnership with PCC

The B.F.A. in Interior Design program at Marylhurst has established a partnership with the PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE interior design program. Through this partnership, you may transfer credits from PCC to Marylhurst and benefit from an advanced start in studio design courses; saving time and money. As a participating student, you are encouraged to co-enroll and begin the Marylhurst interior design studio sequence while studying at PCC.

For additional information and to preview a list of classes included in this partnership, please contact our Office of Admissions.

Degree Completion

The average time to complete the B.F.A. in Interior Design program is four years. Marylhurst is a degree completion institution meaning most of our students enter our university with some previous college credit; saving time and financial resources necessary to earn a degree.

View a SAMPLE DEGREE PATHWAY for the Interior Design program that shows you classes in the program and how (over a few terms) you can complete this degree.